Half my Heart is in Jamaica

My heart is breaking all over again for the country of Jamaica right now. Some of you know that I traveled there back in 2005 with Teen Mania Ministries. We were only there for two weeks, but in that two weeks I developed a love for the people. The country. The lifestyle. But mainly, I developed an aching desire to love and help the children of Jamaica.

I have wanted to go back since the moment we boarded the plane to fly back to the States. I watched as the little island drifted away into the ocean as our plane took off into the cloudy skies.

My heart has been broken since the moment I met some of the most amazing kids throughout Kingston. Those kids are now Junior High and High School aged and are currently caught in the crossfire of a very powerful Drug Lord named Christopher "Dudus" Coke. He has taken over parts of Kingston, such at Tivoli Gardens and Rema (part of Trench Town). His posse that he has been leading ever since the 80's has blockaded the neighborhoods so no one comes in...and no one gets out. There have been over 30 civilian casualties recorded to far, and more are expected.

One of the most horrific parts of this scenario is Coke is "recruiting" boys and men from these areas to join his gang and fight side by side with him. He is offering them $100,000 to join him...if they live through this that is. This is part of the story that the news isn't talking about too much. These boys and men are innocent, but want to provide for their families. So they are accepting Coke's offer, many not realizing that they may not live to see that money and Coke may kill them and their families anyway, just so he doesn't have to lose out financially.

This whole "War" is about drugs and power. Coke lead his "Shower Posse" all over the Caribbean and Florida in the 80's because of his love for Cocaine. Now he has brought his war to Jamaica. As if the island didn't suffer from enough violence already.

Yes, my heart is breaking for the people of Jamaica all over again. My husband actually showed me the news stories about this war and I was in tears watching them. I pray for the children that I met while in Kingston five years ago that they are safe and trying to stay out of the way of these gangsters. I pray that their families are safe. That the Jamaican government will be able to apprehend Christopher Coke and detain him for the rest of his life. I pray that my heart continues to break for this little paradise that is under attack in so many different ways.

"God, Break my heart for the things that break yours."

A Few of My Favorite Things: A New Series

I've decided to start doing a regular monthly blog of things that I currently like/love. Such as books, photographers, activities, etc. I think it will be a fun way for more people to get involved, since I want to hear what you (the readers) are currently like too! You can post a review of something I put up, something you are currently into or suggest something that you would like to see in the future.

1. Thirst Relief International: Jim Davis-Hicks started this foundation a few years back. Thirst Relief brings filtered water to countries in need. The team teaches the locals how to build bio-sand filters so they might have jobs and provide clean water to their villages/towns. To read more about Thirst Relief and how you can get involved, visit www.thirstrelief.org.

2. The Purple Cow: I am currently reading this AMAZING marketing book. Seth Godin is an incredible author and marketing mind. The book slogan is "Transform your business by being remarkable." I think that says it all!

3. Arizona: Why do I like it? Because the drivers license's don't expire till you're 65 years old!

4. Photographers for Haiti: A coalition of professional photographers raising money through photo sessions to help with Haiti Relief. To learn more, visit www.photographersforhaiti.showitsite.com.

5. Invaluable: Written by yet another marketing mastermind, Dave Crenshaw. I bought the book today and can't wait to read it! "The Secret to Becoming Irreplaceable"

6. Peanut M&M's: Just because they're amazing! A great summer snack :)

7. Seadoo: A-MA-ZING-NESS (Said in that over-dramatic operatic voice...you know the one!) This is by far one of my favorite things to do. Riding the wake of house-boats on Lake Powell...or barges in Coronado Bay, CA...there's no many things that can beat that! [Although hiking to the Grand Canyon and coming up on top of Havasupai Falls gives seadoo's a run for their money!]

The Beloved Movement {Jesh de Rox}

There is an amazing movement going on right now in what I like to call "The Wonderful World of Photography." This movement can change everything we know about true emotion in photography. It teaches us how to bring out the inner joys of our clients. This is something that I want to make a goal in my photography over the next year. To stretch myself in order to see my clients beloved.

History of the Movement

While exploring ways to create more authentic portraits of his clients, in the summer of 2006 a wedding photographer named Jesh de Rox stumbled across a technique he now refers to as experiential photography.

While the technique was successful in inviting his clients to genuine expression, something amazing and unexpected happened – the couples he worked with began telling him the sessions were enabling them to experience an intense increase in their connection that lingered long after the session was over. Some went so far as to describe the experience as ‘life-changing’ and ‘one of the best days of their life’.

Intrigued and excited by this, Jesh took a sabbatical from wedding photography to explore what he called Beloved sessions. The concept was to explore photography as a means to celebrate and renew relationship, the emphasis being to create the ideal environment for the couple to experience each other. Instead of taking images of people and trying to make them look happy or in love, he focused on inviting them to a place where they were feeling incredible joy and deep love,  acutely aware of their connection with one another, and then capturing those powerful, genuine expressions.

Jesh’s early exploration in this new direction was an incredible success and he began researching the possibility of establishing a new genre of photography dedicated to this experiential work, so that photographers everywhere could be able to both experience and offer this gift  to couples around the world.

His research culminated in March, 2010, where he rocked the house at the world’s largest photography convention. During the speech, Jesh officially launched the Beloved Movement, sharing the concept and the name to all who were drawn to it and inviting and challenging us to continue the exploration.  The energy in the room was electrifying and the ignited attendees quickly spread the fire.

Inspired by the incredible potential for the movement, Carolyn Wells & Nicole Polk joined forces to create theBelovedMovement.org – a home for the growing number of Beloved explorers, offering a support network for photographers and a vehicle to get the message out to the general public.

Psychology of Love

The photography sessions that are wrapped into The Beloved Movement are about much more than what we normally think of when we hear ‘portrait session’. In addition to the understanding of aesthetics and technical, business, and relationship skills that are required of a professional photographer, the beloved session brings in another level of psychological understanding that is not currently common in the industry.

While photographers in the field are exploring the psychology of love and integrating it into their work, we will also be exploring the subject more in-depth on our website, intermingling photographers’ images with contributions provided by supporting fields of work.  We are inviting professionals and organizations in related fields to contribute their expertise by posting articles, videos, and relevant links.

Especially of interest to our beloved movement is the work by Dr Robert Epstein, a contributing editor for Scientific American Mind lecturer at the University of California San Diego, and founder and Director Emeritus of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies in Massachusetts.

• Keeping Love Alive (Scientific Amercan article)
• Fall in Love and Stay That Way (Scientific American MIND article)

{All credit for information on the Beloved Movement belongs to Jesh de Rox, Carolyn Wells & Nicole Polk}

Travel

This summer my husband and I will be doing a lot of traveling for friend's weddings. For once I'll be in the wedding and not shooting it! But, with that said, I would love to set up a photo shoot while I'm around the states this summer.

In August we will be in Arizona (Verde Valley) and Idaho (Lake Coeur d'Alene and Spokane, WA) . If you would like a family, couples, or senior portraits done while I'm in town, please let me know and we'll set up an appointment!

Another giveaway!

Win a FREE Luxury Oceanfront Vacation in Beautiful Laguna Beach, California from Surf & Sand Resort and SnapKnot!

An incomparable, understated yet elegant setting right on the Laguna Beach Coastline, Surf & Sand Resort makes for a memorable getaway – whether you need the relaxation that only a world-class spa could offer or a little romance over wine and ocean views. Thanks to our generous friends at the Resort, this memorable escape could be yours FREE!
You could win a 2-night stay and breakfast for two at this beautiful oceanfront property. Just imagine two nights in an ocean-view room, the sound of waves lulling you to sleep, and breakfast each morning at the famous Splashes Restaurant…there’s no better way to get away than that!

Luxurious amenities, a private balcony and a view that never ends – those are just a few of the features you’ll find at Surf & Sand Resort. For more than 60 years, the Resort has provided couples and families alike with a quintessential luxury beach vacation right on the shores of the Laguna Beach coastline. Each guest room and suite provides a variety of spacious retreats with comfortable, sophisticated custom furnishings, flat-screen TV’s, wireless internet access and the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean just beyond your balcony. 15fiftyfive, the resort’s open-air lounge, is the perfect place to sip a cocktail, savor a creative appetizer and watch the sun set over the Pacific.

Terraced above the beach, with waves breaking just 25 feet below, the casually elegant Splashes Restaurant boasts some of California’s best views and finest cuisine. And while there is almost nothing as relaxing as a day at the beach, Aquaterra Spa is the perfect alternative, where you can relax with personalized spa treatments enhanced by the healing properties of native botanicals and the natural essences of ocean and earth.

Approximate prize value: $850!*

Giveaway!

So I know I haven't personally done any sponsored giveaways yet, but here is one from another blog I follow. Sorry fellas...this one is for the ladies! 

Click on the button above to be redirected to an awesome giveaway! 

A Hana 1" Flat Iron Giveaway from Misikko!!!!!